Kerala urges strict adherence to 2025 terms in Mullaperiyar dam safety review

Kerala has urged the Supreme Court-appointed panel reviewing the Mullaperiyar dam's safety to strictly follow its August 2025 terms of reference, a state adviser said. The panel recently inspected the dam and heard submissions from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. State adviser James Wilson said Kerala presented detailed concerns on flooding, seismology, and the need for dam sample collection. The state's issues fall under four areas: hydrological, structural, and seismic safety, plus seepage, with shortcomings in earlier studies also highlighted. The panel, headed by former NHPC CMD Balraj Joshi, will submit its report to the National Dam Safety Authority within 10 to 15 days. Kerala maintains the dam is weak, while Tamil Nadu disputes this claim.